Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the U of U concerned about the amount of water used on campus outdoor landscaping?

A: Yes! Facilities and Plant Operations staff are working to make significant improvements to outdoor landscape water use. Every year water system improvements are included in annual budgets.

Steps taken:

  • Xeriscaping and Drought-tolerant Plantings continue to increase and are in the long-term plans for the University.
  • Recently the U re-landscaped 75 acres in low-water and drought-tolerant plants.
  • Also, the U is re-seeding turf areas with low-water grass varieties
  • Irrigation system improvements include upgrading outdated irrigation systems, fixing broken sprinklers and lines, and adjusting our irrigation schedules to reflect weather and seasonal patterns.
  • The U will also install a new central control system to greatly enhance efficient watering.

Water savings from improvements to date: annual water consumption has dropped nearly 15% in the past 5 years, or 156 million gallons.

*Note that the Office of Sustainability is a clearinghouse for information on sustainability initiatives being carried out by other departments and groups at the U of Utah. 

Please contact us if you have comments or ideas!

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